Lartigue, Jacques Henri. Jacques-Henri Lartigue: L'Éte de Lartigue. Michael Hoppen, London, 1998.

Essay by Paul Smith. Stiff illustrated wraps, 14 plates and illustration on cover/title page. Includes chronology of Lartigue's life, 1894-1986. Fine. Summary:

Jacques-Henri Lartigue: L'Été de Lartigue, published by the Michael Hoppen Gallery in 1998, is a beautifully produced catalog that accompanied a London exhibition of the same name. It focuses specifically on the theme of summer—a season that Lartigue, perhaps more than any other photographer, personified through his "joie de vivre" and obsession with leisure.

Artistic Focus: The Eternal Summer

The catalog highlights Lartigue’s unique ability to capture the fleeting, sun-drenched moments of the French elite. Unlike larger retrospectives, this selection leans into the warmth, light, and carefree atmosphere of the French Riviera, the Cote d'Azur, and various coastal resorts.

• The Aesthetics of Leisure: The images feature the socialites, friends, and family of Lartigue’s inner circle lounging by pools, strolling on boardwalks, and engaging in beach sports. It captures the transition from the structured elegance of the Belle Époque to the more liberated, modern fashions of the mid-20th century.

• Motion and Water: True to Lartigue's style, the catalog includes his signature "stop-action" shots—divers suspended in mid-air over turquoise pools and the splashing surf of the Mediterranean.

Key Featured Subjects

• The "Grandes Dames": A significant portion of the catalog is dedicated to his female muses—most notably his wives Bibi, Florette, and his famous companion Renée Perle. Their sun-hats, flowing dresses, and effortless glamour define the "Lartigue Look."

• Natural Light: The book showcases Lartigue’s mastery of high-summer light, using the brilliant glare of the sun and deep, cooling shadows to create a sense of sensory heat and nostalgic longing.

Production and Design

Published by Michael Hoppen, a gallery renowned for its focus on rare and vintage photography, the catalog is noted for its high production values:

• Printing: The reproductions aim to mimic the tonal quality of Lartigue’s original gelatin silver prints, preserving the softness of his early work and the crispness of his later snapshots.

• Curation: The layout is designed to feel like a curated summer diary, emphasizing the personal, almost voyeuristic pleasure Lartigue took in recording his own happiness.

Significance

L'Été de Lartigue remains a collector's item because it distills Lartigue’s sprawling archive into a single, potent emotional mood. It serves as a reminder that Lartigue was the world's first true "snapshot" artist—someone who understood that a photograph's greatest value is its ability to preserve the feeling of a perfect, sun-filled afternoon.

"I have never taken a picture for any other reason than that of the pleasure of the moment." — Jacques-Henri Lartigue